Russell Township is named after Peter Russell, a former provincial administrator during the late 1700s in the early days of the newly-created Province of Ontario. Russell owned slaves and during his time in government fought against efforts to outlaw slavery in Ontario. That historic link, along with an online petition calling on the municipality to change its name and reject its connection with Peter Russell, has some members of council thinking that the township needs a new namesake.
Effort to free Russell Township of namesake slavery link
